Switch cabinet

ABSTRACT

A switch cupboard ( 1 ) comprises a case ( 2 ), several modules ( 30  and a supporting rail ( 4 ), the modules ( 3 ) being secured on the supporting rail ( 4 ). The disclosed switch cupboard ( 1 ) is characterized in that it is designed in functional blocks and modules, so that all modules ( 3 ) required by a machine and only those modules are mounted in the switch cupboard case ( 2 ).

[0001] The invention relates to a switchgear cabinet with a switchgearbox, with several modules and with a mounting rail, the modules beingattached on the mounting rail.

[0002] In factories and in shop and assembly sheds there are large-area,module-oriented switchgear cabinets, usually in large numbers and atstipulated locations. In these, often closet-sized switchgear cabinetsthere are a host of electrical and electronic components and deviceswhich are necessary to supply and control the various machines which aredispersed in the shop. Typically the electrical and electronic units anddevices which are located in these switchgear cabinets include powerswitches, power packs, input/output modules, fuses, transformers andterminals for access wiring and for intermediate and outgoing routing.The individual electrical or electronic components and devices arearranged in a module-oriented manner in the switchgear cabinet, i.e inone area of the switchgear cabinet there are for example severalinput/output modules, in another area, all the power switches.

[0003] Classical switchgear cabinets of the aforementioned type haveseveral disadvantages. First of all, due to their size they require alarge amount of space. Because of the module-oriented structure of theswitchgear cabinet, expansion of the latter which is necessary due tomodification of an individual machine is very complex. This requirescareful and complex individual design of each individual switchgearcabinet, the demand for units and devices of current and future machineshaving to be considered. To enable later modification of a machine atall, therefore frequently a larger number of units and devices isinstalled as a back-up in the switchgear cabinet. On the one hand, thiscauses additional costs due to the back-up units and devices, on theother the amount of space required is further increased thereby. Thecomplex cross wiring of the individual units and devices via terminalblocks which are used as intermediate wiring blocks is especiallydisadvantageous. This cross wiring is on the one hand very timeconsuming, on the other it can only be done by personnel with a highlevel of specialization and then is still highly subject to error. Oncea fault occurs, on the one hand troubleshooting is very difficult andthus time-consuming, on the other it can be necessary to turn off mostof the machines for a longer time under certain circumstances.

[0004] In recent years a reduction in the cost of classical individualwiring of these units or devices has begun due to the use of bus systemsin the connection of sensors, actuators, and also various input-outputmodules. Thus the object of this invention is to use the advantageswhich this bus system offers in data and power transmission for a newgeneration of switchgear cabinets as well. Here the above describeddisadvantages of the classical switchgear cabinets will be avoided.

[0005] The aforementioned object is first of all essentially achieved bythe switchgear cabinet being function block-oriented and modular,specifically all modules necessary for a machine and only they areinstalled. The switchgear cabinet as claimed in the invention thuscontains only the number of modules which is necessary for its dedicatedfunction. Due to the modular structure of the switchgear cabinet optimummatching to the requirements of each individual machine is possible.Otherwise the amount of space necessary is much less and standardizedswitchgear cabinet boxes can be used.

[0006] For the purposes of the invention modules are defined as allelectrical or electronic units and devices which are typically locatedin a classical switchgear cabinet, for example power packs, powerswitches, input/output modules, fuses and transformers. The modules donot differ in their technical function from the electrical andelectronic units and devices of a classical switchgear cabinet, but onlyin their simpler manner of installation and removal.

[0007] According to one especially advantageous embodiment of theinvention the individual modules are mounted in the switchgear cabinetand connected among one another such that they can be interchangedwithout tools. In doing so electrical connection of the individualmodules among one another by means of contact swords takes place so thatcross wiring is unnecessary. Because it is possible to replace eachindividual module regardless of its position in the switchgear cabinetor to add new modules, it is no longer necessary to make availableback-up modules so that the material cost can be greatly reduced.

[0008] According to another embodiment of the invention the connectionto other switchgear cabinets and/or to machines and to a central powersupply and/or control takes place via a bus system. Via one such bussystem or the bus line then both electrical supply of the individualswitchgear cabinets and the modules located therein and also dataexchange between the central control and the modules or even betweenindividual modules themselves takes place. This eliminates individuallines and cable circuits, with which a system consisting of severalmachines can be started up more easily and in a more straightforwardmanner and is also more flexible and thus can be changed more easily.The possibilities of a bus system can also be used above and beyond theaforementioned to undertake auto-diagnosis of the switchgear cabinets.

[0009] Advantageously the switchgear cabinet as claimed in the inventionhas internal potential and data routing with a universal busbar. Forthis reason the individual modules are also supplied with the necessaryelectrical power when an individual module is defective or is beingreplaced.

[0010] In particular there are a host of possibilities for embodying anddeveloping the switchgear cabinet as claimed in the invention. In thisrespect reference is made on the one hand to the claims subordinate toclaim 1, on the other hand to the description of preferred embodimentsin conjunction with the drawings.

[0011]FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a classical module-orientedswitchgear cabinet,

[0012]FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a function block-oriented andmodular switchgear cabinet as claimed in the invention,

[0013]FIG. 3 shows the switchgear cabinet from FIG. 2, but without theswitchgear cabinet boxes,

[0014]FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of a switchgear cabinet asclaimed in the invention, likewise without the switchgear cabinet boxes,and

[0015]FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a switchgear cabinet as claimedin the invention, likewise without the switchgear cabinet boxes.

[0016]FIG. 1 shows a classical module-oriented switchgear cabinet 21with one switchgear cabinet box 22 and several electrical and electronicunits and devices. In the upper area of the switchgear cabinet 21 thereare several input/output modules 24, in the middle area on the one handseveral fuse elements 25, on the other hand a larger number of powerswitches 26, and in the lower area devices 27 for attachment of cablebundles 28 which lead to the individual machines. To connect theindividual units and devices among one another, in the switchgearcabinet 21 there are several terminals 29 for access wiring, severalterminals 30 for intermediate routing, and several terminals 31 foroutgoing routing.

[0017] The switchgear cabinet 21 shown in FIG. 1 is used to supplyseveral machines so that it requires a relatively large amount of space.Due to the extensive cross wiring between the units and devices and theterminals 29, 30 and 31, expansion of the switchgear cabinet 21 withadditional units and devices or replacement of faulty units and devicesis associated with a very high cost. For this reason, in the planning ofthis switchgear cabinet 21 not only the current demand for units anddevices of the machines must be considered, but also replacement unitsand devices as well as supplementary units and devices must also beinstalled in the switchgear cabinet 21.

[0018] Conversely, FIG. 2 shows a switchgear cabinet 1 as claimed in theinvention, with a switchgear cabinet box 2 and modules 3 located thereinwhich are mounted on a common mounting rail 4 which is not visible here.The individual modules 3 are visible from the outside behind the pane 5of a folding cover 6, and, as is shown in FIG. 2, they are accessiblefrom the front with the cover 6 folded up. The switchgear cabinet 1 isfunction block-oriented, i.e. it contains only the modules 3 which arenecessary for operation of one machine.

[0019] The switchgear cabinet 1, as is shown in FIG. 2, contains severalbus terminals 7 for connection of the switchgear cabinet 1 to a bussystem, a signal monitoring unit 8, several input/output modules 9, 10,a power pack 11, and two load relays 12. The input/output modules 9differ from input/output modules 10 solely by a smaller number ofconnection channels. In the bottom of the switchgear cabinet box 2 arecable penetrations 13 through which the lines of the machine whichbelongs to the switchgear cabinet 1 and lines for additional sensor oractuators can extend into the interior of the switchgear cabinet 1. Thecable penetrations 13 are used at the same time however also for strainrelief of the connected lines. Overall the switchgear cabinet 1 andespecially the switchgear cabinet box 2 are made such that theswitchgear cabinet 1 corresponds at least to safety class IP 65.

[0020]FIG. 3 shows the same switchgear cabinet 1 as FIG. 2, but withoutthe switchgear cabinet box 2. Another embodiment of a switchgear cabinet1 as claimed in the invention is shown in FIG. 4, also here without theswitchgear cabinet box 2. FIGS. 3 and 4 show that the individual modules3 are mounted on a common mounting rail 4 which is made hat-shaped;preferably they are simply latched on this mounting rail 4 such thatindividual modules 3 m, as shown in FIG. 4, can be replaced without atool. Here it is especially advantageous that the individual modules 3are made such that not only one edge module 3 a or 3 z, but any module 3m can be replaced. This is enabled by the fact that the modules 3 can belatched onto the mounting rail 4 from overhead, therefore cannot bepushed on solely from one side.

[0021] Otherwise both the bus terminals 7 and also the input/outputmodules 9 and 10 are characterized in that both the entire module 3 andalso simply one top part 14 of the module can be removed. In the busterminals 7 and the input/output modules 9, 10 the top part 14 of themodule is thus used as a plug-in module. Because the bus terminals 7 andthe input/output modules are made in two parts, it is possible toreplace a faulty bus terminal 7 or a defective input/output module 9 or10 without the need to remove the wiring. The top part 14 of the moduleneed simply be removed of the bottom part of the module 15 and then thedefective bottom part 15 of the module is replaced as the wiring remainsstationary. Then the top part 14 of the module is seated again on thenew bottom part 15 of the module. For example the top part 14 of themodule can be removed of the bottom part by releasing a catchconnection.

[0022]FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a switchgear cabinet 1 asclaimed in the invention. Here again the interchangeability of themodules 3 or the top parts 14 of the module is shown. In addition, FIG.5 shows the contact blades 16 which are located in the modules 3. Thecontact blades 16 establish the electrical connection of the individualmodules 3 among one another. In the switchgear cabinet 1 as is shown inFIG. 5, individual modules 3 have fields 17 for lettering and signalidentification of the modules 3. During contacting of the modules 3 orwiring of the top parts 14 of the modules these fields 17 can be eitherentirely released therefrom or they can be swivelled out of theirdisplay position shown in FIG. 5, so that free access to the modules 3or the contacts of the top parts 14 of the modules is possible. For thisreason fields 17 with one of their two short sides are supported in thecorresponding recesses of the modules 3 to be able to swivel and to bereleased.

[0023] Overall, due to the different exemplary embodiments of theswitchgear cabinet 1 as claimed in the invention it becomes clear thatdue to the modular structure and the simple replacement of individualmodules 3 without tools simple adaptation of each individual switchgearcabinet 1 to any given situation is possible. Matching of the individualswitchgear cabinets 1 to a respective machine moreover makes it possibleto execute partial start-up in a system composed of several machines orto perform preliminary tests of the individual machines before theentire system is started up. In this way the structure and theconnection of an extensive system becomes more reliable, simpler, andfaster.

1. Switchgear cabinet with a switchgear box (2), with several modules(3) and with a mounting rail (4), the modules (3) being attached on themounting rail (4), characterized in that all modules (3) necessary for amachine and only they are installed.
 2. Switchgear cabinet as claimed inclaim 1, wherein all modules (3) necessary for a machine are implementedwithout cross wiring.
 3. Switchgear cabinet as claimed in one of claims1 or 2, wherein the individual modules (3) are mounted in the switchgearcabinet (1) and connected among one another such that they can beinterchanged without tools.
 4. Switchgear cabinet as claimed in claim 3,wherein regardless of their position in the switchgear cabinet (1)individual modules (3) can be replaced and/or new modules (3) can beadded.
 5. Switchgear cabinet as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, whereinthe connection to other switchgear cabinets (1) and/or to machines andto a central power supply and/or control takes place via a bus system.6. Switchgear cabinet as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, wherein thereis internal potential and data routing with a universal busbar. 7.Switchgear cabinet as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, wherein theindividual modules (3) have fields (17) for lettering and signalidentification.
 8. Switchgear cabinet as claimed in one of claims 1 to7, wherein the individual modules (3) can be latched onto the mountingrail (4).